Raku | Smoke firing (various)
| Salt
and Soda Firing —
Developed in Germany in the 14th century with creations like crocks, jugs, and mugs. As the salt vaporizes the sodium combines with the silica in the clay and forms a glaze on the surface of the pot. |
The Barefoot Potter specializes in Raku and Smoke/Pit firing.
(Photos on this page represent Raku and Smoke/Pit fired works.)
Pit Firing — Although it is
a primitive way of firing it is in fact the first form of Kiln Fired
ware before there were kilns. It is now a more refined and controlled
process where pieces are put in a shallow pit surrounded by sawdust,
manure salts and oxides which can easily
reach bisque temperature and higher depending on fuel used and then is
left to cool naturally.
One of the variations of this firing was developed by Maria Martinez.
There are many different ways of
firing. With a kiln or without is up to you. There's Pit, Smoke, Barrel,
Saggar, Salt/Soda firing among many others.
Smoke (sawdust) Firing —
This firing is also based on pit or primitive firing. The way smoke
firing works is that you have all the pots surrounded by the fuel inside
of a bucket or garbage can (with holes cut out for air
flow to keep fuel burning) so all the heat and the work are contained.
The sawdust burns down without flames creating a reducing atmosphere. I let the
fire burn for at least 12 hours before I disturb it, letting it burn
itself out.
Saggars were first used to protect one's pot from the nasty fuels used to fire, such as ash from the coal and from direct contact with
flame. Now a days it is used to have more control over the atmosphere around one's pots. The saggar is filled with sawdust salts and minerals for fuming the pot. You can try metal saggars, brick or clay.
Salt and Soda Firing —
Developed in Germany in the 14th century
with
creations like crocks, jugs, and mugs. As the salt vaporizes the sodium
combines with the silica in the clay and forms a glaze on the surface of
the pot. Salt can be introduced in a couple of different firings in
different ways. In Raku it can be introduced with salt rolled in paper
and put inside
of the kiln and let the vapors circulate throughout the kiln. Another
way is soaking pots in a saltwater solution or soaking newspaper or rags
to put in a smoke /pit firing.
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Copyright 2005 The Barefoot Potter.
All pottery shown in this site - created by Natalie Prévost-Mero.